September 2019 A successful start

To help you to support your child in having a smooth transition to their next class in September, we feel the the following information will assist you. Please also note that a wealth of information, such as school policies, can be found on the school’s website.

http://www.trinitystpeters.org/serve_file/207548 Uniform All children should wear the correct school uniform. This includes the school’s indoor and outdoor PE kit. All uniform should be labelled. Please note, as per policy: children must wear a charcoal grey jumper/cardigan and the school’s charcoal jogging suit with school logo that can only be purchased from Whittakers, Southport. This forms part of the school’s safeguarding procedures so it is important that all our families abide to this. For further information regarding the school’s uniform, please read this policy: http://www.trinitystpeters.org/serve_file/207548

http://www.trinitystpeters.org/serve_file/207548 PE Kit All children will access two hours of allocated PE time per week. However, additional opportunities can arise where PE kits will also be required so they must be in school each and every school day. If a child is unable to take part in a PE lesson, a note should be written from the parent/guardian to the child’s class teacher. For further information regarding the school PE kit, please read the following policy: http://www.trinitystpeters.org/serve_file/207548

PE Lessons – Autumn Term Year 6 will receive hockey lessons from Formby Hockey Club every Monday afternoon. The children will also continue with PE lessons taught by Mr Hunt from Formby High School. These sessions will take place on a Thursday afternoon. Please note that the Year 6 children will not be having any further swimming lessons this year.

Music Provision Children in Year 6 receive brass lessons from a Sefton Music Service tutor, as part of the school’s Music provision. These sessions take place every Tuesday morning. The children will have the opportunity to take their instruments home after their Tuesday morning lesson but must ensure that they are returned to school the following Monday. It is responsibility of the child/guardian to keep the instruments in full working order and any issues should be reported to the child’s class teacher.

Homework All children will receive reading books to read at home each week. Reading should be recorded in the child’s home planner as well as any additional age appropriate texts that are read at home (which we encourage). In addition to this, your child will receive spellings to learn each week. These are taken from the National Curriculum and will be set every Friday and tested each Thursday. Children in Year 6 also receive Maths and English homework in order to supplement their learning in class that week. This homework will be set each Friday and should be returned on or before the following Wednesday.

Homework The weekly Maths and English homework will usually be set from the children’s CGP books. In Autumn term, the homework will either focus on what the children have learned that week or it will be assessing their prior knowledge for the following week’s topics. We encourage the children to be independent learners in preparation for secondary school. Therefore, if they struggle with a particular question, the children should first carry out their own research at home, referring to MyMaths, SATs Companion, or other resources found online that can support their understanding. If they are still unable to answer a particular question, they should then let the class teacher know at the start of Wednesday’s lesson.

Regular practice of times tables and related number facts will benefit and support your child’s mathematical knowledge and understanding. By Year 6, national curriculum expectations are that children should know ALL multiplication tables (and related division facts) up to 12 x 12 with fluent recall. The ‘Times Table Rockstars’ and ‘Sumdog’ apps/websites are particularly effective tools to cement these essential number facts. Times Tables practice tasks have also been set on MyMaths, ready to access from September through to July. Please also remember to check the ‘Children’ section of the school website as there are many other useful websites and tutorials available that are appropriate for each key stage.

Sharing and reading books with your child is one of the most important activities you can do at home. It does not have to be a school reading book, any reading material – from comics to football magazines – all help to improve their understanding of the written word and develop vocabulary. On the ‘Children’ section of the school website, a recommended reading list titled ‘100 books to read in Year 5 & 6’ is provided. For further information, see the following link: http://www.trinitystpeters.org/page/key-stage-2/48498

Punctuality and Attendance School starts promptly each morning at 8.50 am. However, we open the school doors from 8.40 am. During this time children in Year 6 complete ‘4-a-day’ calculations which impacts positively on children’s arithmetic skills, therefore it is advised that children are in school as early as possible. Attendance of 95% for the year equals 10 days that your child has been absent, that is 2 full school weeks of your child’s learning missed for that year. Attendance of 90% for the year equals 19 days that your child has been absent, that is almost 4 school weeks missed. Attendance of 85% for the year equals 29 days that your child has been absent per, that is almost 6 school weeks missed.

Punctuality matters Being frequently late for school adds up to lost learning, Arriving 5 minutes late every day adds up to over 3 days lost each year Arriving 15 minutes late every day adds up to 2 weeks absence a year Arriving 30 minutes late every adds up to 19 days absence a year Leave of absence Children are in school for 190 days. This means there are 175 days for holidays etc. The school no longer has holiday forms in operation. Only applications for exceptional leave should be given to the school. Any child whose absence has been unauthorised for longer than 4.5 days will result in a fine for the parents. This is the Department for Education's policy which the school must adhere to. Ofsted will also ensure the school complies with this.

Behaviour and Anti Bullying Posters These posters have been created by the pupils for the pupils. These posters are in line with the school’s values and are displayed and referred to throughout the school.

During the school year you may need to contact the class teacher. You can do this by: - Note or letter Telephone call Meeting Email admin@tsp.sefton.school FAO: Mr King and Mr Curragh A member of staff will endeavour to respond within 48 hours. Class teachers are available to meet with parents between the hours of 8.15 am and 4.30 pm at a mutually convenient and agreed time. Parent School Communication Policy: http://www.trinitystpeters.org/serve_file/265206

http://www.trinitystpeters.org/blogs/grade/3086 @Year6TSP At the end of most school days, class teachers will be on the playground dismissing their class. Every Friday, class teachers update their class blog with highlights from the learning week. See the below link: http://www.trinitystpeters.org/blogs/grade/3086 We also use Twitter to celebrate learning. Please follow your child’s class: @Year6TSP

Important Dates for Year 6 8th October 2019 – HAPI Questionnaire (further information to follow) 20th November 2019 – Y6 Trip to Tatton Park (Viking Experience) 11th May to 14th May 2020 - SATs Week The following assessments will take place, though individual dates TBC: SPaG Test (Grammar/Punctuation) SPaG (Spelling) Reading Test Maths Paper 1 (Arithmetic) and Maths Paper 2 (Reasoning) Maths Paper 3 (Reasoning) 3rd June to 5th June 2020 – Robinwood Residential Please refer to Robinwood letter for further information.

Themes 2019 / 2020 for Year 6 Autumn 1 –  A Journey Through Africa. Autumn 2 – The Vikings: Sailors, Adventurers and Warriors. Spring 1 – Why Should We Thank the Ancient Greeks? Spring 2 –  Natural Resources: Are We Looking After Our Planet? Summer 1 – Coasts: A Constant Tide of Change. Summer 2 – The Changing Role of Women.